William Arthur Sheridan

July 14, 2024

In loving memory ~

William Arthur Sheridan, known to all as Bill, embarked on his final adventure on July 14, 2024, after facing cancer. Born under the wide Alberta sky in Edmonton on New Year's Eve, 1946, Bill's life was a fireworks display of love, laughter, and the occasional engine backfire.

Bill's journey began as the son of Robert and Goldie Sheridan, who predeceased him, and grew up poking around in the hoods of cars and the hearts of those who met him. He shared his childhood shenanigans with a pack of siblings: Robert (Ed), who ventured ahead of him; Leonard Tutty, the cousin who was more brother than cousin; his sister Sandra; as well as Dan (Roma Gallant) Sheridan, Delbert Sheridan, and Kathy (Tom) Sheridan, who all remain to carry on the Sheridan knack for mischief.

The School of Life and Hard Knocks awarded Bill his unofficial PhD in Perspiration and Perseverance. At the tender age of 15, he bid adieu to formal education and made a beeline for the oil rigs, where he quickly decided that being the boss was more his style. In 1974, he founded G & S Oilfield, steering it through five years of ups and downs, until his love for cars took the driver's seat. Bill shifted gears and took the helm at Western Collision in 1979, running it until he hung up his keys for good in 2006.

Bill's life was a technicolor tapestry woven with threads of rum, the roar of Harley engines, the splash of riverboat races, passport stamps from around the globe, snowmobile trails up mountain faces, and the manicured greens of golf courses that often bore witness to his 'creative' scorekeeping.

The leading lady of this high-octane escapade was his loving wife, Beccy, who not only shared his zest for life but also managed to keep his wheels mostly on the ground. Together they navigated the highways and byways of life, with Bill often remarking that marrying his best friend was the smartest investment he ever made, second only to that unbeatable stock in oil and rubber.

Bill's legacy includes his daughters, Samantha (Cecil Zumbusch) and Sherri (Al Abraham), who inherited his devilish grin and ability to find joy in the throttle. His beloved grandchildren, Alicia Zumbusch, Dawson (Sarah Roth) Abraham, Cassidy Mantei, Tiana Abraham, and Jacey Abraham, were the twinkle in his eye and the occasional grey in his once blond hair.

Bill's life was a testament to the fact that the richest man isn't the one who has the most, but the one who needs the least - except when it came to cars, motorcycles, boats, travel, and golf, where more was always better.

As he crosses the finish line, Bill leaves behind tire tracks on the hearts of those who knew him and a garage full of memories. His infectious laugh, his larger-than-life presence, and his boundless love for his family will be sorely missed. Those who knew Bill understand that Heaven is now a livelier place, with a bit more tire smoke and the unmistakable sound of a Harley in the distance.

So here's to Bill Sheridan, a man who lived life full throttle, loved with all his heart, and left us all with stories that will fuel laughter for years to come. Rev those engines one last time, Bill, for the road ahead is endless, and we know you've got the best seat in the house.

The family is honouring Bill with an Irish wake. We invite you to come and reminisce Bill's stories, true or otherwise, at Murph's Pub in Red Deer on September 14th between 1 pm and 4 pm.